I Finally Threw Away My Ex's Sweatshirt And My Home Office Stopped Feeling Heavy
A woman's home office felt oppressive and unfocused until she removed a single item — her ex-boyfriend's sweatshirt — that had been hanging on the back of her chair for two years.
Location
Portland, Oregon, United States
Property Type
Apartment
Room
Home Office
Direction
West
The Problem
For months, my home office felt... off. I couldn't focus. Every time I sat down to work, I'd feel this low-grade anxiety, like I was waiting for something bad to happen. I'd rearranged the desk, bought a new lamp, even painted the walls a calming blue. Nothing helped. I was getting nothing done, and I was starting to dread going in there.
What They Tried
My friend came over and immediately pointed at the hoodie draped over my desk chair. 'That. Get rid of it.' It was my ex's old college sweatshirt. I'd kept it 'for comfort' after we broke up two years ago. It was faded, stained, and smelled like dust. I finally threw it in the donation bin that afternoon.
What Happened
Honestly? I felt lighter almost immediately. The room didn't change — same desk, same chair, same lamp. But the heavy feeling was gone. I could sit down without that knot in my stomach. Within a week, I was actually getting work done. I don't think it was magic. I think it was just... removing a daily reminder of something painful.
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 兑 ☱ · Dui |
|---|---|
| Direction | West |
| Element | metal |
What works best here
Dui (7) · Metal. West should be lower and more open than East for left-right equilibrium.
Place: low cabinets, metal decor (brass, copper, steel), round shapes, white and grey tones.
Recommended crystal
Clear Quartz or Selenite — placed on a low console or side table in the west
Round shapes and metallic finishes feel especially at home on this side of the room
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Text
Los objetos que le traen a la memoria experiencias negativas o cuya contemplación le produce sensación de tristeza, e incluso los que simplemente no le gustan, no están cargados con el chi vital que resulta positivo para usted. La forma más rápida y eficaz de transformar el signo de la energía de que están dotados esos objetos para conseguir que se convierta en algo fresco y saludable consiste en dejarlos marchar. ¡Véndalos, tírelos o regálelos!
English Translation
Objects that bring negative memories or feelings carry a stagnant energy. The fastest way to transform this energy is to let them go — sell them, throw them away, or give them away. This makes room for fresh, positive energy.
2. About the Source
Feng shui para Occidente by Terah Kathryn Collins · United States · 1995
Feng Shui for the West is a practical guide that adapts classical Chinese spatial principles for modern Western homes and lifestyles. Written by one of the first American authors to bring Feng Shui to a mainstream English-speaking audience, the book translates ancient Bagua concepts into actionable room-by-room advice using familiar Western design language and contemporary case examples.
3. How This Principle Applies to This Case
This case illustrates a common psychological principle: objects can serve as 'triggers' for emotional states, particularly grief or unresolved conflict. The sweatshirt was a constant visual reminder of a past relationship, keeping the user in a low-grade state of emotional arousal. Removing it removed the trigger, allowing the brain to associate the room with work instead of loss. This aligns with modern cognitive behavioral approaches that recommend changing environmental cues to change behavior and mood. The user didn't need to redecorate — she needed to remove an emotional anchor.
Bring the Purest Energy Into Your Home
Sourced from altitudes above 4,000 meters in the Himalayan range — the highest place on Earth and the closest to the sun. These crystals formed over millions of years in some of the planet's most pristine conditions, untouched by industrial pollution. Each piece carries the raw, unfiltered energy of the mountains. Whether placed on a nightstand, a desk, or a meditation corner, they serve as a quiet anchor — a daily reminder to pause, breathe, and reconnect.
Explore the HIMA ALAÏA collection →Case source
The Simple Home Project
Founded by Tina Robinson, former NYC fashion executive turned BTB Feng Shui practitioner. Focuses on minimalism, space decluttering, and home harmony design.